Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Built for Electricity

Being a cottage built in 1950, energy efficiency according to more modern standards wasn't an issue. Electricity was cheap.

I am someone who prefers to reduce my electricity usage.Not only because it is expensive here, but because I enjoy more natural, sustainable ways.

I would love to have a Vermont Bun Baker.It would double as a cook stove in the wintertime, pulling double duty as a house heater and cooker.But, the way the house is set up with doors, windows, and rather large radiators under nearly every window, there isn't a lot of space of hook up a wood-fired stove.

I would love to utilize the sunshine more.A sunny, cheerful home is a happy home to me.Thankfully, my living room has a big picture window and lets in a lot of light. But, my kitchen has just one window and the door's window (which faces north, so it doesn't let in a lot of light.)The dining room has just one small window, and even during sunny days I often have to turn on the chandelier so we can homeschool more comfortably.

Every older home has its quirks that create little challenges for modern living.I remember looking at older homes while house hunting and discovering the only bathroom was a little room off the kitchen way at the back of the house!

Others had tiny bedrooms with no closet space.

The house I grew up in doesn't have heat available to every room. In fact, only one of the bedrooms had a heat vent. The others had nothing.

I'm not complaining, only observing how times have changed, and family needs have altering necessities.While I don't know anything about the original residents of this cottage, I do believe we are the largest family (and possibly only family with young children) to have occupied this home.

Thankfully, today is sunny, and the position of the sun in mid-winter is optimal upon our little cottage. As I look from the kitchen where I type this through the dining room and into the living room, it is bright and sunny, reflecting off the newly fallen slow.

For that bit of construction, I am grateful.To have a bright home in winter.